George Okamoto

Born and raised in Happy Valley, Wailuku on April 6, 1941, George was the youngest of four children to Shigemi and Shizuko Okamoto. An all-star high school football athlete, Vietnam veteran with two tours in Korea, and honorably retired from service as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Army Reserves. George was a servant leader who cared most about the community and his family.

George was an active member of the Maui Kiwanis Club and played a pivotal role in connecting the community with business leaders and philanthropists who in turn supported the economy with numerous fundraising events and provided scholarship opportunities for aspiring leaders.

George also carried on his family legacy by being an active member of the Wailuku Hongwanji Mission Buddhist Temple. He served numerous times as as the church president over the span of several decades while also being appointed on the Board of Directors for both Maui and the main temple on Oahu. George deeply cared about Wailuku Hongwanji and made it his life mission to ensure the church was well postured for the next generation of spiritual leaders.

In the end, George's proudest achievement was his love of family. The original OG of dad jokes, his kids' biggest fan during life achievements, and a loving and cherished partner to his wife of over fifty years. His long marriage to a foreign bride was the ultimate cinematic motion picture filled with drama, action, and comedy, sprinkled with a ton of irony to make it the longest love story ever made.

Predeceased by his siblings Chieko, Stanley, and Mary Tanouye. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, June, his sons Gregg (Kat), Jon, Burt (Lezley), ten grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. George loved his sons and truly adored his grandkids with great admiration.

Viewing service will start at 4:30pm followed by visitation from 5:00-7:00pm on Wednesday, March 30, 2022 at Norman's Mortuary. Funeral services will be held on Sunday, April 3, 2022 at 3:00pm located at the Wailuku Hongwanji Buddhist Temple.